Health Benefits of Soy

Have you heard about the soy trend? It protects your heart and reduces the risk of cancer - to name just a few of the health effects. You should eat a soy product every day!

Soya beans, tofu and other soya products - used in Asian cuisine and loved by Western vegetarians. Now there is also a growing interest among the public health.

   Soy contains so-called plant estrogens, substances similar to the female hormone estrogen. They protect against menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis and hormone-dependent cancers of breast and prostate. Plant estrogens does not have same effects as estrogen, it only has some of its features. Soy does not make men more feminine, they do not raise the female hormone estrogen and does not lower the male hormone, testosterone.

   There has been a controversy about whether women with breast cancer can eat soy, something that many doctors advise against. But several large studies show that it is safe for women with breast cancer, including estrogen-sensitive cancer, to eat soy products. There is even data showing improved prognosis, however, more research is needed before it can be determined.

Like other legumes, soybeans are good sources of protein, fiber, all B vitamins except B12 and the minerals; iron, zinc, magnesium and potassium.

   The soybean has a relatively high fat content, 18 percent, but with a lot of polyunsaturated fats, which help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, it belongs to the few vegetables that have the beneficial fatty acids Omega 3.

   Eating soy is a great way to bring down cholesterol, not only by the fats in soy but also by the soy protein. The only downside of soy is that you may get an allergic reaction if you are sensitive, but it is not that common.

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